Battery box system and method

ABSTRACT

In the preferred embodiments, a novel system and method is for mounting a battery box within a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes, among other things, a novel battery box that is mounted between two chassis frame members that extend lengthwise along the vehicle. The battery box is supported on the frame members via a plurality of uniquely designed and arranged bracket members.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to vehicle parts and components, and thepreferred embodiments relate, e.g., to systems and methods for mountingbatteries and/or the like within vehicles, especially within, e.g.,trucks, tractors and/or commercial vehicles.

BACKGROUND

In various vehicles, especially in trucks, tractors and commercialvehicles, there is often a need to mount batteries and/or othercomponents within the vehicle.

An illustrative conventional vehicle within which batteries and/or thelike are mounted is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the vehicle 100 includesa forward cab section 200 for accommodating a vehicle operator and achassis frame 300 having generally parallel frame members 310A and 310Bextending substantially the entire length of the vehicle and having aplurality of cross-members (not shown) connecting between the framemembers 310A and 310B.

As shown in FIG. 1, one or more deck plate 330, such as, e.g., deckplates 330A and/or 330B in the illustrated example, are commonlysupported upon the frame members 310A and 310B. Among other things, thedeck plate(s) can provide a) a surface upon which an individual canwalk, b) a surface upon which physical items can be supported, and c) aprotective surface for vehicle components there-under, such as, e.g.,the drive shaft of the vehicle extending to the rear wheels W.

With trucks, trailers and/commercial vehicles, space within the vehicleframe is typically at a premium because the space typically must supportassorted components, such as, by way of example, air tanks, servicelines, fuel tanks, fuel and electrical lines, hydraulic lines andsystems, drive trains and accessories, and/or the like.

In addition, such vehicles often carry multiple batteries, such as,e.g., three or four heavy duty batteries, for such purposes as providingadequate cranking power to start a large diesel engine, providingadequate power for lighting and accessories, and/or the like.Accordingly, a typical vehicle has also been equipped with a sturdybattery box for securely mounting and housing such batteries on thevehicle. This type of battery box occupies substantial space thatsignificantly contributes to the problem of optimally locating thevarious necessary and desired components upon the vehicle.

Ideally, all components are mounted accessibly and at the same timepositioned to leave adequate room for a comfortable operatingcompartment and an engine compartment of sufficient space to affordaccess to the engine and to other vehicle components, such as powersteering and air conditioning units which are typically located inengine compartments. Further, all of the vehicle components should besufficiently nested within or otherwise supported by the frame to allowadequate road clearance and to minimize interference with air currentsgenerated by a moving vehicle. They should also be positioned to keepvehicle wind drag to a minimum for economy which is important forprofitable vehicle operation.

An illustrative battery box structure in the background art is depictedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,167, of Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation (the'167 patent). The '167 patent shows: “[a]n over-the-highway truck ortractor vehicle having an elongate rail forming a portion of a vehicleframe and an improved battery box in the form of a unitary moldedcontainer defining multiple sides of a battery retention space.” SeeAbstract. The '167 patent describes, among other things, “[s]tructureincluding a lower step fixedly connected to the rail [that] supports thecontainer.” Id.

While a number of systems and methods exist in the art, there is acontinued need in the art for improved methods for mounting batteriesand/or the like in trucks, tractors and/or other commercial vehicles. Asset forth below, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionprovide notable advancements over the above references and otherexisting systems and devices.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes various deficiencies and problems foundin the above and/or other background art.

Among other things, in some preferred examples, a vehicle with animproved battery box mounting structure is provided that includes: a)two frame members extending lengthwise along the vehicle; b) a batterybox between the two frame members, the battery box including a basehaving a bottom wall with upwardly extending perimeter walls and a coverwith downwardly extending perimeter walls; c) a plurality of bracketmembers attaching the battery box between the two frame members, whereinthe bracket members are each fixedly attached to only one of the twoframe members and are flexibly attached to the battery box so as toaccommodate relative movement between the battery box and the framemembers.

In some examples, the bracket members being flexibly attached includesthe bracket members being mounted to the battery box with at least oneresilient member between the bracket members and the battery box and/orincludes the bracket members being mounted to the battery box withtolerance in movement between the bracket members and the battery box.In some configurations, the tolerance in movement includes at least oneprotrusion on one of the battery box or the brackets that is looselyreceived within at least one hole of the other of the battery box andthe brackets. In some instances, the bracket members are generallyU-shaped and wherein one leg of the U-shape is fixed to at least one ofthe frame members and another end of the U-shape is attached to the baseof the battery box at a side opposite to a battery receptacle within thebattery box, such that the U-shape extends beneath the receptacle. Inpreferred embodiments, the bracket members being flexibly attachedincludes the bracket members being mounted to the battery box with atleast one resilient member between the bracket members and the batterybox.

According to yet some other examples, a battery box assembly for avehicle is provided that includes: a) a base having a bottom wall andoutwardly tapered perimeter walls, the perimeter walls including atleast one cutout portion; b) a cover configured so as to be mounted overthe base and having outwardly inclined perimeter walls; c) the outwardlyinclined perimeter walls of the cover extending over but spaced apartfrom the at least one cutout portion so as to form an air vent into aninterior of the battery box. In the preferred implementations, theassembly further includes a plurality of bracket members adapted toattach the battery box between parallel frame members of a vehicle.

According to yet some other examples of the invention, a method formounting a plurality of batteries within a vehicle is performed thatincludes: a) providing a vehicle having two frame members extendinglengthwise along the vehicle; b) providing a battery box for a pluralityof batteries between the two frame members, the battery box including abase and a cover; c) connecting the battery box in between the two framemembers via a plurality of bracket members, including fixedly attachingeach the bracket members to only one of the two frame members andflexibly attaching each the bracket members to the battery box so as toaccommodate relative movement between the battery box and the framemembers.

According to yet some other examples, a method for mounting a pluralityof batteries within a vehicle is performed that includes: a) providing avehicle having two frame members extending lengthwise of the vehicle; b)attaching a plurality of brackets to the frame members; c) lowering abattery box onto the brackets; d) fixing the battery box onto thebrackets while accessing the battery box from only above the framemembers. In some examples, the method further includes providing thebattery box as a pre-assembled module containing a plurality ofbatteries and wiring between the batteries. In some examples, the methodfurther includes providing the battery box as a pre-assembled moduleincluding a disconnect switch and/or a jump stud. In yet some otherexamples, the method further includes flexibly attaching the bracketmembers to the battery box so as to accommodate relative movementbetween the battery box and the frame members. In some preferredexamples, the method further involves that the fixing the battery boxonto the brackets while accessing the battery box from only above theframe members includes screwing a nut onto a stud that extends up fromone of the brackets and through a hole in the battery box.

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of variousembodiments will be further appreciated in view of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Variousembodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, featuresand/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments cancombine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments whereapplicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages ofparticular embodiments should not be construed as limiting otherembodiments or the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way ofexample, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative vehicle within whichbattery boxes according to some of the preferred embodiments can beimplemented;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of a battery box being mountedbetween frame members of a vehicle according to some illustrativeembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 8(A)showing a portion of a bracket assembly for a battery box structureaccording to some illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 4(A) is a top perspective view of a base of a battery box accordingto some preferred embodiments similar to that shown in FIG. 2 withoutbatteries therein, and FIG. 4(B) is a top perspective view of thebattery box base shown in FIG. 4(A) with batteries therein;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of another embodiment showing a batterybox base as mounted between frame members of a vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the battery box similar to thatshown in FIG. 2 with a cover thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a battery box similar to that shownin FIG. 2 with a side thereof cut-away to facilitate viewing theinterior of the battery box for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 8(A) is a top perspective view of a battery box similar to thatshown in FIG. 2 with mounting brackets attached thereto; and

FIG. 8(B) is a top front perspective view of a battery box similar tothat shown in FIG. 5 along with an integrated jump stud and disconnectswitch according to some illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, anumber of illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples of the principles of the invention and that suchexamples are not intended to limit the invention to preferredembodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.

With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the invention, abattery box 500 is provided that can be mounted between two generallyparallel frame members 310A and 310B in a truck, tractor or the like(such as, by way of example, similar to that depicted in FIG. 1). Asshown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiments, the battery box 500 ismounted to the frame members 310A and 310B using bracket members 600. Asbest shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the battery box 500 preferablyincludes a cover 520 which is omitted in FIG. 2 so as to allow forviewing inside the battery box. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery box 500is preferably configured so as to support a plurality of batteries. Inthe illustrated and non-limiting example, four such batteries B1, B2, B3and B4 are depicted.

In some preferred embodiments, the battery box 500 can be mountedbetween such frame members 310A and 310B and, in turn, a deck plate 330(e.g., see 330A and/or 330B in FIG. 1) can be located there-over.

FIGS. 2 to 4(B) and 6 to 8(A) show a first preferred embodiment of theinvention in which an illustrative battery box 500 is mounted betweenthe two frame members 310A and 310B. Referring to FIG. 2, the batterybox 500 in this first preferred embodiment includes a substantiallyrectangular container base 510 having a generally cylindrical hump 511extending lengthwise along the floor of the base 510 to accommodate adrive shaft of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the hump 511 includes three extensions 512, 513 and514 extending upwardly there-from. The extensions 512, 513 and 514preferably include substantially flat upper surfaces for providinginterior support beneath a cover 520 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8(A)).In addition, extensions 512 and 514 may also provide a place to attach abracket 510LP to secure the batteries as described below. While threeextensions 512, 513 and 514 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, insome other examples, the extensions can be combined to form less thanthree extensions (such as, e.g., one or two extension(s)), while inother embodiments more than three extensions can be used.

With reference to FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the container base 510 preferablyincludes a bottom wall 510BW and four walls including a front wall510FW, left and right side walls 510SW, and a rear wall 510RW. Each ofthe four perimeter walls preferably is inclined relative to the bottomwall 510BW so as to form an obtuse angle with the bottom wall, that is,angle slightly outwards, as best seen in, e.g., in FIGS. 3 and 7. Thefour perimeter walls and the cylindrical hump define receptacle spacesto receive batteries.

As best shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the upper ends of the containerbase 510 preferably include cutout portions 510CO. In the preferredembodiments, the cutout portions 510CO are located proximate the comersof the base 510 as shown. In other embodiments, however, the cutoutportions can be at different locations around the perimeter of the base510.

In some preferred embodiments, the container base 510 further includesside depressions 510SD as best seen in FIG. 6. Among other things, theside depressions 510SD can be employed to add to the rigidity of thestructure and/or so as to help delineate sections in which the batteriesreside.

In addition, in some preferred embodiments, the bottom wall 510BWincludes depressions 510BD as best seen in FIG. 6. Among other things,the bottom depressions 510BD can be employed to add to the rigidity ofthe structure, to provide fluid drainage from the battery storage areas,and/or for other purposes. As for fluid drainage functionality, thedepressions 510BD can be formed, e.g., so as to angle downwards toopenings 510BDO as best seen in FIG. 6.

As also shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of bracket members 600 is providedto mount the base 510 to the frame members 310A and 310B. In thepreferred embodiments, the bracket members 600 are configured so as toa) be fixedly attached to one of the frame members 310A or 310B, b) toextend underneath and support the bottom wall 510BW of the base 510 ofthe container, and c) to extend up to at least one of the extensionportions 512/513/514 so as to provide support there-under withoutinterfering with the clearance space provided by the extension portions.

In the preferred embodiments, as shown, rather than utilizing bracketmembers that span completely between the frame members 310A and 310B,the bracket members 600 are preferably configured so as to extend onlypartially across the width of the bottom wall 510BW between the framemembers 310A and 310B. As shown in FIG. 6, four brackets are providedwith the ends of laterally adjacent brackets 600 preferably spaced fromone another a distance d. Among other things, using two brackets 600rather than one bracket to span between frame rails enables the batterybox 500 to accommodate relative movement of the frame members 310A and310B during normal driving conditions (e.g., twisting,parallelogramming, etc.).

To further account for relative movement and/vibration between partsduring normal use of the device, one or more resilient members, such as,e.g., a resilient member (e.g., a rubber cushion) or grommet can beprovided in between the base 510 and the brackets 600. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 3, a resilient member or grommet 510G can be locatedbetween a lower end of the bottom wall 510BW and the bottom segment 604(discussed below) of the bracket 600, and another resilient member orgrommet 510G can be located between the container base 510 and thedistal portion 601 (discussed below) of the bracket 600.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 (in broken lines) and 6, the bottom wall of thebase 510 preferably includes a plurality of protrusions 510BWP that arearranged to be received within holes 600H cutout of the brackets 600. Inthe illustrated embodiment, two protrusions are arranged to extend intotwo respective holes 600H in each respective bracket 600. With referenceto FIG. 3, the diameter of the protrusions 510BWP is preferably smallerthan the diameter of the holes 600H, such as, e.g., by an amount d2depicted, so as to accommodate some relative motion between the bracket600 and the base 510.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiments, the bracket 600 isformed so as to have a first region (such as, e.g., portion 601) that isattached to an underside of the base 510 (such as, e.g., using athreaded stud R that is fixedly attached to the portion 601 and a locknut N and/or any other appropriate connectors) so as to enhance thesupport at the upward extensions (e.g., 512 or 514), a second region(such as, e.g., including the portions 602, 603, 605 and 606) thatextends beneath the bottom of the container 510, and a third region(such as, e.g., the portion 607) that is attached to a frame member 310Aor 310B (such as, e.g., using bolts B and/or any other appropriateconnectors). In the preferred embodiments, the brackets 600 aresubstantially U-shaped, as shown, and include mounting regions proximatethe upper ends of the respective arms as shown. While the figures depictsome illustrative arrangements of the brackets 600, such as, e.g.,including portions 601 to 607 shown as segments in some illustrative andnon-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that these are justsome illustrative examples and that the brackets 600 can be modified soas to be formed of a single piece of metal bent to an appropriate shapeand to have a variety of shapes and configurations depending oncircumstances in other embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), in some preferred embodiments, lockingbrackets 510LP can be removably mounted on the container base 510 so asto retain the batteries B1 to B4 in the battery box during operation ofthe vehicle. In the illustrated embodiments, the locking brackets 510LPare fastened to the upper ends of the extensions 512 and 514 andinserted in slots in the sidewalls 510SW. By way of example, thebrackets 510LP can be attached using any appropriate connectors, suchas, e.g., bolts, screws, clasps and/or the like. In prior battery boxes,brackets for retaining batteries extended over corner portions of thebatteries, resulting in corner-loading on the cases of the batteries. Inthe preferred embodiments, however, the brackets 510LP advantageouslyextend over substantially the mid-sections of the batteries as shown. Inthis manner, the brackets 510LP do not impart unnecessary loads on thebattery cases inside the battery box 500.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8(A) and 8(B), in the preferredembodiments, the battery box 500 includes a cover or lid 520. In thepreferred embodiments, the cover 520 includes a generally planar topwall 520TW, a depending front wall 520FW, left and right depending sidewalls 520SW and a depending rear wall 520RW. Among other things, thedepending front wall 520FW, depending side walls 52SW and depending rearwall 520RW are preferably constructed so as to angle outwards slightlyrelative to the top wall 520TW as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. As aresult, the container base 510 flares outward in an upward directionwhile the cover 520 flares outward in a downward direction as shownproviding a gap between the depending walls of the cover and the wallsof the base. In the preferred embodiments, the depending walls 520FW,520SW and 520RW are preferably sized so as to facilitate locating of thecover over the top of the base 510 (such as, e.g., with the dependingwalls locating the cover in position over the base 510). In addition,preferably the depending walls 520FW, 520SW and 520RW are configured soas to extend over the entire or substantially the entire height of thecutout portions 510CO, as shown in the figures.

In some preferred embodiments, the cover is configured so as todistribute a load applied on the top of the cover 520 towards the sidesadjacent the frame members and over the brackets. Among other things, byway of example, such a construction can provide assistance in the eventthat, e.g., an individual steps on the cover 520 or otherwise applies aload over the cover 520. By way of example, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and8(B), the cover 520 can include a stepped configuration 520ST proximatethe side edges. Moreover, in some embodiments, the cover 520 can even bemade so as to rest only the sides 510SW (without deflection of the cover520) such that less force is applied along a center of the battery boxin many circumstances.

Among other things, by extending the depending walls 520FW, 520SW and520RW over the cutout portions 510CO, air vent passages VP can beadvantageously formed between the cover 520 and the base 510 while thecover 520 can still be configured so as to substantially obstruct andcover the base 510. In that regard, the air vents VP are preferablyformed by the oppositely inclined depending walls of the cover 520 andthe walls of the base 510, such that even though the depending wallsextend downward over the walls of the base 510, a vent path VP is stillformed there-between as best seen in FIG. 7. Among other things, thisprovides for a more aesthetic appearance because the interior of thebattery box is obstructed from view and also provides for, among otherthings, enhanced shielding of the interior of the battery box fromexternal objects, weather or the like. By way of example, fluid flowover the cover 520 due to, e.g., spillage, leakage, rain and/or otherconditions will have a reduced likelihood of entering the battery boxdue to the overhanging vent structure according to the preferredembodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8(A) to 8(B), in some embodiments at leastone latch mechanism(s) 520L is provided to help retain the cover 520upon the base 510. In this regard, in the preferred embodiments, thelatch mechanism 520L is fixedly attached to one of the cover 520 or thebase 510 and includes a distal end that is releasably engaged/disengagedwith the other of the cover 520 or the base 510. In some preferredembodiments, the latch mechanism includes a flexible or resilientmaterial, such as, e.g., a rubber or the like that is pivotally attachedto one of the cover 520 or the base 510 and that includes an engagementmember on a distal end thereof, while the other of the cover 520 or thebase 510 includes a catch 510C that can releasably engage with theengagement member. By way of example, the engagement member can include,e.g., a widened region that can be engaged within a hook or the like onthe catch 510C. For example, in use, the resilient member can bestretched (e.g., manually by an individual) and the widened region canbe located within the hook so as to retain the cover 520 or the widenedregion can be removed from the hook so as to release the cover 520. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the latch mechanism 520L is mounted on thebase 510 and the catch member 520C is mounted on the cover, but in otherembodiments, as described above, this arrangement can be reversed. Amongother things, the use of a flexible latch mechanism has some advantagesrelated to, e.g., a) the ability to use non-conducting materials for thebattery box, including the latch mechanism, b) the enablement oflightweight and long-lasting materials to be employed, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this figure shows another embodiment of theinvention in which an illustrative battery box 500 is mounted betweenthe two frame members 310A and 310B. In this illustrative example, thebattery box 500 is similarly depicted as including a substantiallyrectangular container base 510 and a generally cylindrical hump 511extending lengthwise along the floor of the base 510. In order to allowfor wiring and/or venting, a plurality of cut-outs 510WH can be providedproximate respective battery locations as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 alsodepicts an illustrative manner of wiring the batteries contained withinthe battery box enclosure 500 according to some illustrative andnon-limiting embodiments. Various other wiring methods can be employedas would be appreciated by those in the art. In addition, while FIG. 5shows an embodiment that is slightly modified from that shown in FIGS. 2to 4(B) and 6 to 8(B), the wiring methods used in FIG. 5 can be employedwithin any of the embodiments shown herein where appropriate. Moreover,while FIG. 5 does not depict a cover 520, it should be understood thatthe device of FIG. 5 can include an appropriate cover 520 similar tothat described above.

FIG. 8(B) depicts yet another embodiment of the invention which isgenerally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and which includesan integrated jump stud JS (e.g., a jump plug or battery connector) anda disconnect switch DS. Although such a jump stud JS and disconnectswitch DS can be integrated in some embodiments, in some preferredembodiments, such as, e.g., shown in the other figures, jump stud anddisconnect switch integration is not employed. In some other preferredembodiments, such as, e.g., shown in FIG. 5, another bracket member 700can be employed for mounting jump stud and/or disconnect switches or thelike.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in some preferred embodiments of theinvention, the battery box can be easily and efficiently mounted uponthe vehicle frame members 310A and 310B. In the preferred embodiments,the ease of mounting is enhanced by constructing the battery boxcomponents in a manner to allow an individual to install the battery boxwithout any need to access the battery box components from beneath theframe members 310A and 310B. In contrast, prior battery boxes haverequired an individual to access the battery box from beneath thebattery box in order to mount it onto the vehicle. In this regard, asdescribed above, in the preferred embodiments, the brackets 600 can beinitially attached to the frame members 310A and 310B as shown in FIG.2. Then, the battery box 500 can be lowered onto the brackets such thatthe protrusions 510BWP fit into the holes 600H and such that the stud Rfixed to the portion 601 extends upward through a correspondingreceiving hole 510R formed in the base 510. Thereafter, the nut N can bethreaded onto the top end of the stud R from above the battery boxassembly so as to retain the battery box 500 fixedly upon the framemembers 310A and 310B. As a result of this unique mounting structure,the battery box can be easily and efficiently mounted upon the framemembers 310A and 310B.

In addition, in some of the preferred embodiments described above, thebattery box 500 can be mounted in a manner that enhances the durabilityof the device, such as, e.g., by isolating the battery box fromvibration and/or by accommodating loads applied to the frame structurethat result in, e.g., twisting, rolling, bending, or parallelogrammingof the frame members. In some embodiments, the stiffness of the batterybox structure can be about ⅙ or less of the stiffness of a typical framecross-member, resulting in, among other things, longer durability.

In addition, in some of the preferred embodiments described above, thebattery box can be easily and efficiently mounted as a pre-assembled,self-contained module. By way of example, in some preferred embodiments,the battery box 500 can include, e.g., batteries mounted therein alongwith wiring between the batteries (such as, e.g., similar to that shownin FIG. 5). In addition, as described above, in some embodiments, thebattery box can include pre-assembled jump studs and/or disconnectswitches integrated therein. In such cases, the wiring associated withsuch pre-assembled components can be readily contained and locatedinside the battery box. As a result, the battery box 500 can operate asan easy and efficient module that can be readily installed upon avehicle. Moreover, as described above, the wiring, connections and othercomponents located inside the battery box can be well maintained andisolated from external contaminants due to, among other things, theunique venting structure as described above (such as, e.g., in which thevent paths VP are substantially obstructed from the environment).

In the preferred embodiments, the battery box 500, including the base510 and the cover 520 can be formed using plastics, polymers, fiberglass and/or the like materials. Among other things, materials havingsome resiliency and non-conductive properties are preferable for suchcomponents. Nevertheless, various other embodiments can include avariety of other materials depending on circumstances. In addition, inthe preferred embodiments, the brackets 600 are formed of metalmaterial(s), such as, e.g., aluminum, stainless steel and/or any otherappropriate material(s) as would be suitable for purposes describedherein as would be understood by those in the art based upon the presentdisclosure.

BROAD SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferredembodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodimentshaving equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations(e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/oralterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on thepresent disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpretedbroadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited toexamples described in the present specification or during theprosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term“preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limitedto.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application,means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only beemployed where for a specific claim limitation all of the followingconditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for”is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited;and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are notrecited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of thisapplication, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may beused as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure.The language present invention or invention should not be improperlyinterpreted as an identification of criticality, should not beimproperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments(i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a numberof aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted aslimiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure andduring the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment”can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, anycombination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples,various embodiments may include overlapping features. In thisdisclosure, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed:“e.g.” which means “or example.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for mounting a plurality of batterieswithin a vehicle, comprising: a) providing a vehicle having two framemembers extending generally parallel lengthwise along the vehicle forsubstantially an entire length of the vehicle; b) providing a batterybox for a plurality of batteries between said two frame members, thebattery box including a base including a bottom wall and a cover; c)providing a plurality of bracket members formed as generally U-shapedmembers; d) connecting the battery box in between the two frame membersvia the plurality of bracket members, including fixedly attaching oneleg of each said bracket members to only one of said two frame membersand flexibly attaching a second leg of each said bracket members to thebase of said battery box with a battery receptacle within said batterybox positioned between said legs so that said U-shape extends beneathsaid receptacle so as to accommodate relative movement between thebattery box and the frame members and relative movement between theframe members.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexibly attachingincludes mounting said bracket members to said battery box with at leastone resilient member between said bracket members and said battery box.3. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexibly attaching includesmounting said bracket members to said battery box with tolerance inmovement between said bracket members and said battery box.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further including providing said tolerance inmovement via at least one protrusion on one of said battery box or saidbrackets that is loosely received within at least one hole of the otherof said battery box and said brackets.
 5. A vehicle with an improvedbattery box mounting structure, comprising: a) two frame membersextending lengthwise of said vehicle; b) a battery box between said twoframe members, said battery box including a base having a bottom wallwith upwardly extending perimeter walls and a cover with downwardlyextending perimeter walls; c) a plurality of bracket members attachingsaid battery box between said two frame members, wherein each saidbracket members are fixedly attached to only one of said two framemembers and are flexibly attached to said battery box so as toaccommodate relative movement between the battery box and the framemembers and wherein said bracket members are generally U-shaped andwherein one leg of said U-shape is fixed to one of said frame membersand an opposite leg of said U-shape is attached to said base of saidbattery box with a battery receptacle within said battery box positionedbetween said legs such that said U-shape extends beneath saidreceptacle.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said bracket membersbeing flexibly attached includes said bracket members being mounted tosaid battery box with tolerance in movement between said bracket membersand said battery box.
 7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein said tolerancein movement includes at least one protrusion on one of said battery boxor said brackets that is loosely received within at least one hole ofthe other of said battery box and said brackets.
 8. The vehicle of claim5, wherein said bracket members being flexibly attached includes saidbracket members being mounted to said battery box with at least oneresilient member between said bracket members and said battery box.
 9. Amethod for mounting a plurality of batteries within a vehicle,comprising: providing a vehicle having two frame members extendinglengthwise along the vehicle; providing a battery box for a plurality ofbatteries between said two frame members, the battery box including abase and a cover; connecting the battery box in between the two framemembers via a plurality of bracket members, including fixedly attachingeach said bracket members to only one of said two frame members andflexibly attaching each said bracket members to said battery box so asto accommodate relative movement between the battery box and the framemembers, and further including providing said bracket members asgenerally U-shaped members with one leg of said U-shape fixed to atleast one of said frame members and the other leg of said U-shapeattached to said base of said battery box with a battery receptaclewithin said battery box positioned between said legs so that saidU-shape extends beneath said receptacle.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein said flexibly attaching includes mounting said bracket membersto said battery box with at least one resilient member between saidbracket members and said battery box.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinsaid flexibly attaching includes mounting said bracket members to saidbattery box with tolerance in movement between said bracket members andsaid battery box.
 12. The method of claim 11, further includingproviding said tolerance in movement via at least one protrusion on oneof said battery box or said brackets that is loosely received within atleast one hole of the other of said battery box and said brackets.